Hand brake



Dem-Z2, 1931. Y O'CONNOR 1,837,475

HAND BRAKE Filed July 14, 1930 F tg/5/304 Z Patented Dec. 22, 1931 1.10m: F. oco'NNon, oreinoaeo, I minors, AssreNoR T w. H. MIN R, me, or onIcAeo I JELLI1 I0'IS, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE a i v HAND Applieatfum fil'e'd. July 14',

This invention relates to hand brakes.- v 7 One object of the invention is to provide a handbrake mechanism especially adapted for railway cars, including chainwindi'ng means and worm gearing for actuating the same, wherein thewear is-greatly reduced bydistributi'ng the loadthrough the use of a pair ofcha-in winding drums both operated by a 1'0 singlew-orrnelement meshing with a pair of worm gears connected to the drums, and wherein meansis provided for disconnecting the worm gears fromthe druins to permit freerunning of thelatter to quickly release lathe brakes: a

Another object of the invention is to provide in a. brakemechanism of the character indicated in-the preceding paragraph, releasable clutch means between the worm gearing and each chain winding drumto permit free running of the latter in release,-wherein the clutch means isoperated by a single manual- 1y controlled: actuating member.' s 1 h v .v Other objects of the invention will more z'ficlearly appear" from the description and 7 claims hereinafter following. I

Inthe drawings; forming apart of this specification; Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through myimproved handbrake mechfio'anism,illustratingthe same applied to the end wall of ii-railwaycar, the section being in-a plane-parallel-to' said end wall. Figures 2; and 4'- are vertical transverse sectional viewscorrespondingrespectively to the lines 2'--2, 33' and of Figure '1. And Figure 5 is aview similar to Figure-1, partly broken away, illustrating another embodiment of the invention. a i Referring first to the embodiment" of the 49L invention; illustratedin Figures 1 to 4 inclusivefmy improved hand brake mechanism proper is mounted within a housing 10, which is fixedtothe'vertical end wall ofthe car, in- V dieated by 1'11 Theho'using comprises spaced vertical side 'walls lQand 13, a "front wall-14,

rear wall- 15 and curved top and: bottom walls 161 6.}"The bottom'wall 1 6of" the housingis open at thecenterg as indicated; at 173 to accommodate the brake chain which is connected tofithe brake mechanism proper improvements in yided with a-'jlaterally projecting annular BRAKE 1930. Serial No. 467,824.

of the car in the usual manner. As most clearly shown in Figure'2 -the upper part of the housing 10 isofi'set outwardly withre-x spect to the lower portion thereof, that is the entire housing is outwardly inclined with re- L spect to the end wall 11 of the car; The housing may be secured to the end wall 11in anysuitable manner, and as herein shownis pro-' titled with laterally projecting securing flanges 18- -l8 at opposite sides thereof, which 0 are riveted to the end wall 11 of the car.

My improved hand brake mechanism proper, which is mounted within'the housing, coinprises broadlyaworm element A; aliand' wheel B; two worm gears C'G; two chain winding drums'D-D a pair of springs F'F for urging the drums to'ward 'the gears; a' clutch releasing means including a slide- G, an actuating lever H and a connecting link-K. The worm element A is in the form of an elongated sleeve-like member threaded at the inner end, as indicated at 19. The worm member is'supported for rotation within the housing by means of a rod orbolt 20 eXtend-' ing' through said member and having the 'headed end 21 thereof seated in a pocket22 provided in the rear wall ofthe housing; As shown most clearly in Figure 2,i-the rearwall of the housing is thickened at the point where the head is anchored to strengthen that portion otthe wall. At the forward end, the worm member A is directly supported for rotation in the frontwall; of th'e housing, the worm member being provided with a cylindrical bearing portion 23 at saidend rotatable in a'bearin'g opening 24in the front wall 14: of the housing. The housing wall adjacent t-he'bearing portion referred to isthickened; as shown, so as to strengthen the same.- At the outer'end the; worm element A is profian or rib 25 which serves to retain the "hand wheel B on the wormxele'ment. The

hand whe'el Bisprovided with an opening 26 receiving the outer end portion of the worm element,said opening 26 being enlarged V atfthe outer end-to'provide-a retaining should er 27 cooperating with the retainingrib or flangef25. Atthe misread, the rotl'or bolt 20 is provided witha retaining nut 28 which locks the rod to the worm element, the nut being seated in a pocket provided in the outer end of said worm element. A spacing washer or shim 29 is preferably interposed between the inner end of the worm element and the inner face of the rear wall of the housing.

The two worm gears C-C are of similar design, each being provided with threads or teeth meshing with the threads of the worm element A. The chain winding drums DD are also of similar design, each being in the form of a spool element having an annular flange 30 at the outer end thereof. Both the worm wheels CC and the chain winding drums D-D are supported Within the housing in a similar manner, each being mounted on a supporting shaft 31 anchored in the opposite side walls of the housing. Each shaft 31 is provided with an enlarged, central, substantially cylindrical portion 32 on which the corresponding drum D is rotatable. Rearwardly of the cylindrical portion 32, the shaft 31 is reduced in diameter, as indicated at 33, and the corresponding worm wheel C is rotatably supported on said portion 33. The rear extremity of each shaft 31 is still further reduced and is supported within an inwardly projecting boss 34 provided on the rear wall of the housing, the shaft being secured in position by means of a nut 35 threaded on the inner end thereof and seated within a pocket 36 provided in the rear wall of the housing. At the forward end, each shaft 31 is of smaller diameter than the cylindrical central portion 32 thereof,

said reduced portion being designated by 37. A shoulder is thus provided at the outer end of the section 32 of each shaft. The forward extremity of the section 37 of each shaft is also threaded and receives a nut member 38.

A thimble or sleeve 39 is slidably mounted on the reduced section 37 of each shaft, the thimble having an annular flange 40 at the inner end thereof which normally bears on the shoulder at the outer end of the section 32. A collar 41 is interposed between the nut 38 at the outer end of each shaft and the sleeve or thimble 39, the outer end of the sleeve or thimble being spaced from the col- 1 lar 41 so as to permit reciprocating movement of the thimble. The collars 41 are accommodated within openings 42 provided in the side wall 12 of the housing. The springs FF, which are two in number, are mounted a 1 on the thimbles 39, being interposed between the flanges thereof and the collars 41, thus yieldingly holding the thimbles engaged with the shoulders of the shafts 31. At the inner end, each chain winding drum D is t provided with a. plurality of clutch teeth 43,

which cooperate with clutch teeth 44 provided in a pocket 45 at the corresponding side of the cooperating worm wheel C. As will be evident upon reference to Figure 1, the

" cooperating clutch teeth of the top and bottom chain winding drums and top and bottom worm wheels are reversely arranged, inasmuch as the two chain winding drums rotate in opposite directions when the chain is being Wound thereon. Each chain winding drum is provided with an outstanding lug 46 to which the end of a chain member 47 shown in dotted lines in Figure 4, is secured. The chain member 47 is trained over a sheave or pulley 48, as clearly shown in Figure 4, which pulley is connected to a rod 49 directly connected with the chain, which leads to the brake mechanism proper of the car, not shown.

As most clearly illustrated in Figure 1, each of the worm wheels is provided with a bearing opening 50 at the right hand side thereof, as viewed in Figure 1, receiving the corresponding bearing boss 34 of the wall 13 of the housing.

The clutch releasing means comprising the elements G, H and K is employed to retract the chain winding drum so as to disengage the clutch means thereof from the clutch means of the two worm wheels. The lever H is pivot-ally supported on a pivot pin or bar 51 secured in the front and rear walls of the housing. At the bottom end, the lever H is provided with a hand grip by which the same may be manipulated. The upper end of the lever above the pivot 51 thereof is connected to the slide G by means of the link K, which has the outer end thereof pivoted to the inner end of the lever H and the inner end thereof pivoted to a pair of outstanding lugs 52-52 on the slide G. The slide G is provided with top and bottom openings 5353 through which the spool portions of the chain winding drums DD extend. A shim or washer 54 is interposed between the annular flange 30 of each drum and the outer face of the slide G. In order to minimize wear between the outer ends of the chain winding drum and the thimbles 39, each drum is provided with a wear plate or shim 55 seated in a pocket at the outer end of said drum. As most clearly shown in Figure 1, the parts are so proportioned that the inner ends of the thimbles 39 are normally slightly spaced from the outer ends of the drums when the latter are in clutching engagement with the worm wheels, thereby eliminating friction and reducing the wear between these parts.

In assembling my improved hand brake mechanism, the upper chain winding drum D, and the cooperating worm wheel, together with the slide G and the actuating means therefor, are first inserted within the housing. The worm member or element A may then be placed in position and the bottom drum and worm wheel entered within the housing. The parts are then secured in assembled relation by theshafts 31-31 and the rod 20. The rod 20 is entered through the rear wall of the housing, thus securing the Worm element A i in position. Each shaft 31 is applied in the following manner: Before entering the shaft wlthin the housing, the thimbleand spring F are-assembled therewith and the collarllv placedthe'reon, the same being secured in pothecorresponding worm wheel O. The rear endof the shaft is then secured within the openingof the rear'wall of the housing.

mechanism, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive,- is as'follows, during applicationof the brakes: The operating hand wheel 13 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, thereby rotating the worm element A in corresponding direction. The two worm gears'which are meshed with the worm element'are'rotated in reverse directions, the upper worm Wheel being rotated in a contraclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2,

and thel'ower worm wheel being rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in said figure; Inasmuch as the two chain winding drums D D are at thistime in clutching engagement with the worm wheels, they will be rotated in corresponding directions and the chain memher 471 wound thereon, thus tightening the brake chain which is connected to the member 49'. During the entire'chain winding operation the clutch elements of the drums and worm wheels will be maintained in clutching engagement by thespring FF. When it is desired to quickly release the brakes, the lever H is pulled in a righthand direction, as viewedin Figure 1, thereby pulling the slide G to the left, as viewed in said figure, carrying the chain winding drums D-D therewith and disengaging the clutch elements thereof from' the cooperatingclutch elements of the worm wheels; When the parts have been completely disengaged, free'rotation'of the two chain winding drums is permitted, thereby quick- 1y releasing thebrakes.

' -Di1e to the spring action of the spring members F- F, the chaini winding drums DD and theclutch teethof these members will be re-engagedas soon as the brakes are complete- 1y released and the chain winding drums :be-

' come "substantially stationary: In case of s the teeth of the clutch membersnot registering exactly,a slight rotation ofithe worm wheels at the beginning of=the chain tight V eningoperation will bring the same into registration' and fullclutchingengagement.

In case it is found desirableor necessary to back oflioreaseofi the" brakes, thehand through the connecting worm gear means,the

drums at this timeibeing in clutching engagement with the wormwheel-members.

Referring next tothe embodiment of thein-I vention illustrated in Figure 5, the general construction is broadly the samelas that of the mechanism hereinbefore described and illustrated in. Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, theclutch shifting means only being modified. The hand brake mechanism, as illustrated inFig- .ure5, includes a-housing 110 in whichthe operative parts of the brake mechanism are enclosed. The chain wmdm drum memhere, which are indicated by -l) are in The operation of my improved hand brakethe form of spoolshaving annular flanges ll30- at the outer ends thereof. The winding drums DD- are driven by worm wheels, a worm element and a hand wheel connected to the'worm element of exactly the same construction as the correspondlngniembers men1ber'sCG, A-and B hereinbeforedescribed. The chain winding drums D',-D" and the cooperating worm wheels are also provided with inter-engagingclutching teeth.

The chain windingdrums and' the worm wheels are mounted on cylindrical shafts 13113l which are anchored in opposed walls of thehousing. Theshafts 131131 are preferably of uniform diameter throughout the m'ajorporti'on thereof and are provided with oil feeding ducts'160--160,as shown dotted. lines in Figure 5. g r i The 'rn-eansfor' reciprocating the chain winding drumslJ-D to engage the clutch teeth thereof with the worm wheels and disengage the same-comprises yoke mean'sfin e'rably formed by fork sections at the ends of the plate. The plate N, which is disposed onthe outer sides of the flanges 130%130 of the two drums, is provided} with openings '7 16% at opposite, ends thereof, through which the shafts 131131 extend,the shaftsforming guide means for said plate. At the cen- 1 ter, on the outerside' thereof, the plate N has a projecting journal member 165 engaging the pin 161 at the inner end-of the operating leverP; "The openin'g in'the bearing projection 165 is'preferably in the form of an outwardly opening slotyas clearly shown in Figure 5.; a The operation of the brake mechanism illustrated- Figure 5 is substantially the same aby rotation of the Worm element which meshes with the two worm gears. During the chaln tightening operation, the chain winding drums DD' are maintained in clutching engagement with the cooperating worm wheels by the yoke means, the latter being urged to the right, as viewed in Figure 5, through the action of gravity on the operating lever P. As will be evident, backing up or easing up of the brakes is effected by rotat-ing the operating hand wheel in a reverse direction to the rotation thereof during the tightening of the chain.

In order to quickly release the brakes, the hand grip portion of the operating lever P is pulled upwardly and to the right, as viewed in Figure 5, thereby pulling the yoke means, including the plate M, outwardly, carrying the drums D'D therewith through engagement of the plate M with the flanges 130-130. In re-engaging the chain winding drums D D with the worm wheels, the drums are forced to the right, as viewed in Figure 5, by means of the plate N, which is pushed inwardly through operation of the lever P by engagement of the pin 1 61 thereof with the bearing projection 165. As will be evident, the lever P will be urged to the left by the action of gravity, thereby forcing the plate N to the right. Although the lever P is normally returned to the original position by the action of gravity, it will be clear that the same may be manually manipulated to effect restoration of the chain winding drums DD' to clutching position with the worm wheels.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that comewithin the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a hand brake mechanism,the com bination with a rotatable worm element; of means for rotating said element: a pair of chain winding drums disposed at diametrically opposite sides of said worm element: a worm wheel rotatable with each drum for drivingthe same. said worm wheels bein I 2') horizontal axes transverse to the axis of rotation of the worm element, said axes of rotation of said worm wheels being oflset laterally with respect to each other; and a pair of chain winding drums having driving connect-ions with said worm wheels.

3. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a pair of chain winding drums; of a pair of worm wheels for actuating said drums; manually actuated means for simultaneously establishing driving re lation between said worm wheels and drums; a worm element for actuating said worm wheels; and means for rotating said Worm element.

4. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a pair of chain Winding drums; of a worm wheel for each drum; cooperating clutch means on said drums and worm wheels; means for reciprocating said drums and worm wheels with respect to each other to engage and disengage the clutch means thereof; and a rotatable worm element cooperating with both worm wheels for actuating the same.

5. In a hand brake mechanism, the 'combination with a pair of chain winding drums; of a worm wheel for each drum; cooperating clutch means on each drum and cooperating worm wheel; a rotatable Worm elemz-nt for actuating both of said Worm wheels; and means for reciprocating said drums to engage the clutch means thereof with the clutch means of the worm wheels and also to disengage said clutch means.

(3. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a pair of Worm wheels; of a pair of chain winding drums cooperating with said worm wheels, said drums being reciprocable toward and away from said'worm wheels; cooperating clutch means on said drums and worm wheels; spring means for urging said drums toward the worm wheels; lever-actuated clutch disengaging means for retracting said drums to disengage the same from the worm wheels; and a worm element for actuating said worm wheels.

7. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a worm wheel; of a chain wind ing drum cooperating with said worm wheel, said drum and wheel being reciprocable toward andaway from each other; cooperating fixed clutch projections on said drum and wheel respectively; spring means for holding said drum yieldingly engaged with the clutch projections of the worm wheel; leveractuated clutch disengaging means for retracting said drum and disengaging the same from the clutch projections of the worm wheel; and a worm element for actuating said worm wheel.

8. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a worm element; of apair of worm Wheels driven by said worn element; a pair of chain winding drums, each of said drums and the corresponding worm wheel having cooperating clutch means thereon, said drums being reciprocable with respect to the worm wheels to engage and disengage the clutch means thereof; and means for reciprocating'said drums including lever 0perated yoke means having shouldered engagement with said drums.

9. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary worm element; of a pair of worm wheels meshing with said element, each of said wheels having clutch means thereon; a pair of rotary chain winding drums, each having clutch means thereon cooperating with the clutch means of one 1 of said wheels, said drums being reciprocable toward and away from said wheels to engage and disengage the clutch means thereof, each of said drums having an annular flange thereon; and means for reciprocating said drums including yoke elements embracing said annular flanges, and a lever for actuating said yoke elements.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 10th day of July, 1930.

JOHN F. OGONNOR. 

